Chapter 22

Chapter 21: The Meeting

Saturday afternoon, 2 PM, Maze Inn.

The task of preparing drinks for the upcoming Script Murder Club members fell to Zuo Sanqiu.

He picked seeds out of lemons with a sour expression, saying to Shizong, who was reading on the small sofa at the front desk, “I don’t want to play script murder at all now. I want to quit the club.”

Shizong ignored him.

Zuo Sanqiu continued, “This week’s expenses are over two thousand less than last week. I think hiring me is definitely a very cost-effective decision. Boss Shizong, you’re wise!”

Shizong didn’t lift his head, expressionless: “Well done.”

“You’re way too perfunctory.”

Zuo Sanqiu rolled his eyes and continued, “I’ve started learning how to make drinks and desserts recently. I can’t handle the complicated ones—taking a class costs money.

“So I can only make the basic ones. To sell them better, I suggest you act as a living advertisement to attract business, using your image—”

“Slap!” Shizong closed his book.

Zuo Sanqiu froze, meeting Shizong’s gaze.

At that moment, he shivered as if he had seen Jiang Wan’er’s expression when she decided to destroy the entire town.

“Why would you think I’d agree to such an arrangement?”

“To make money. Don’t you care about money?”

“Fine, my mistake. You’re the boss; whatever makes you happy. I’m also thinking of our business…”

“No, Boss Shizong, were you born into a wealthy, noble family, never worried about making a living?

“Not lacking money, so you wouldn’t fuss over trivial things like me… I think you’re one of those who could say, ‘Why eat meat porridge?’”

Seeing Shizong’s displeased expression, Zuo Sanqiu was about to say something more when he noticed Shizong turn toward the door, smiling: “Wu Gou? You’re here.”

Zuo Sanqiu: “……”

—How did he master such exquisite skills, like a Sichuan opera face-changing performance?

This person is way too good at pretending.

While making hand-pressed lemonade, Zuo Sanqiu waved at Wu Gou, who had just entered the inn.

Seeing him, Wu Gou looked surprised, stunned for a long moment before asking, “Y-you, the new part-time job… is actually here?”

Zuo Sanqiu answered casually, “Yeah.”

Wu Gou frowned, a little aggrieved, glancing at Shizong before lowering his head: “Boss Shizong never mentioned it… If he needs help, I would’ve liked to assist him here too…”

Carefree Zuo Sanqiu didn’t notice Wu Gou’s subtle feelings, only asking, “Wasn’t there a new member? I haven’t met them yet. What’s their name?”

“Oh, yes. The new member is a freshman. He’s outside on the phone, so I came in first.”

Hearing the noise, Wu Gou looked toward the door, “Here he comes. His name is He Zhen.”

He Zhen? How did he come here?

Zuo Sanqiu paused and immediately looked toward the door.

As if afraid Shizong hadn’t seen, Wu Gou approached, saying deliberately: “Boss Shizong, hello. Sorry to bother you again.

“The other club members will arrive soon. Let me introduce the new member: He Zhen! He’s amazing. Do you want to come watch us play script murder later?”

Shizong, in his long hair and white robe, leaned casually against the sofa, raising his eyes lazily toward the door. He saw He Zhen walking in, fringed hair moving, carrying a backpack, tall, cool, aloof, with a cold demeanor.

Hmm, quite a cool, aloof 18-year-old junior.

So young, yet with such a hard, cold heart.

Shizong observed He Zhen carefully, as if trying to see his soul through his appearance.

He Zhen didn’t shy away, meeting Shizong’s gaze directly, then walked up to him.

“Boss Shizong, nice to meet you.”

Shizong found his tone both cool and aloof, so he just nodded slightly, not engaging further, continuing to read.

That afternoon, He Zhen and the others played script murder.

Shizong sat behind the front desk reading, ignoring the kids, only faintly hearing that He Zhen took MVP.

When the game ended, Wu Gou, covered in dust, came to Shizong complaining, “The newbie is too strong. I finally got the killer, and lost completely in front of the junior… so embarrassing.”

Shizong put down his book, smiling: “It’s fine. Win it back next time.”

“Boss Shizong, you’re too kind. Next time, will you play with us? Help me?”

“Okay. No problem.”

Shizong’s gentle, attentive gaze immediately lifted Wu Gou’s spirits. “I’ll help you clean!”

As he said this, Wu Gou noticed the broom was already taken by Zuo Sanqiu.

His mood dropped again.

He thought he was closest to Shizong.

Shizong talks little but is willing to say a few words to him.

When He Zhen asked him, Shizong had answered similarly.

But now, it seemed the closest person to Shizong was Zuo Sanqiu, leaving Wu Gou a bit downcast.

Returning to Shizong, he hesitated before speaking: “Um… I didn’t realize you were so close with San San before. You even lied to him for me.

“If you need help, why didn’t you say? I-I can help too.”

Shizong considered himself ill-tempered, peculiar, never truly open, and disliked others’ forced closeness.

For sensitive young people like Wu Gou, he couldn’t be bothered to console them.

But a line he had written himself lingered in his mind—

“Run this inn well, be a competent boss, or I will die.”

What counts as “competent”?

Shizong didn’t know.

He only knew he must try to play the role of inn owner well.

After talking with Li Rongjing, he was more convinced this was the right approach.

If the so-called king’s banquet truly exists…

Just having the identity isn’t enough.

To fully integrate into the role, one must qualify to attend the banquet.

Zuo Sanqiu is already a player; occasionally showing some real personality in front of him is fine, but others are not ready yet.

So Shizong still looked at Wu Gou gently. “You don’t know San San’s family situation? He…”

Shizong hesitated, trailing off with a slight sigh.

That sigh struck Wu Gou deeply.

He couldn’t help thinking: Did Shizong only help San San because his family is in trouble?

Boss Shizong really is a kind and gentle great person.

As for San San, his family is struggling, and I even took his bonus—how wrong of me…

The more he thought, the more embarrassed Wu Gou felt. Blushing, he stammered apologies: “San San… I… sorry, I really didn’t know.”

Shizong shook his head, smiling. “It’s nothing. The inn’s business is slow now; if it gets too busy, I’ll ask for your help, okay? For now, focus on studying.”

Wu Gou was reassured but still a little guilty, leaving the inn without looking up.

The inn fell quiet for the moment.

Only the lounge carried the rustling sound of Zuo Sanqiu sweeping.

He had overheard the conversation between Shizong and Wu Gou.

Having caught a glimpse of Shizong’s true nature, he couldn’t help rolling his eyes.

Wu Gou is a bit naive, but Shizong had his personality, temperament, and psychology completely figured out, right?

And that coaxing, childlike tone…

Didn’t Wu Gou notice anything wrong?

After rolling his eyes, Zuo Sanqiu noticed someone else still in the inn—He Zhen.

Could he have come specifically to see Shizong?

But Shizong didn’t want other Longevity Guild members to know his identity.

Why did He Zhen just happen to join the Script Murder Club?

Sensing Zuo Sanqiu’s gaze, He Zhen looked up from his phone. “The club posted Boss Shizong’s photo. I think he resembles Jiang Wan’er, so I came to check.

“In the game, I already thought you two knew each other. Now seeing you here… so he really is Jiang Wan’er.”

Zuo Sanqiu had no response, scratching his head.

He Zhen continued: “He’s willing to join the guild but doesn’t want anyone to know his identity. Zhou Lü told us about this. So I won’t tell other members who he is. You can relax. But I think—

“If he wants to hide his identity, the club shouldn’t keep doing this. There are so many people at school; there could still be players hidden among them.”

He Zhen spoke loudly, deliberately so Shizong at the front desk could hear.

After speaking, he ignored Zuo Sanqiu, walking directly to the front desk and stopping before Shizong.

Shizong replied coldly, “Compared to your upbringing, no. Other kids need to work to earn money.”

This remark immediately placed He Zhen in Shizong’s mental category of “child.”

But it also proved that Shizong had tried to understand He Zhen, enough to know his background.

Thinking this, He Zhen studied Shizong for a few moments, then said, “I just want to say, you’re very kind to everyone else.”

The extraordinarily handsome Boss Shizong wore a cheap studio-style ancient robe yet carried an otherworldly elegance. His gentle eyes comforted a group of male college students, listening to their troubles, joking and chatting with them…

Recalling these scenes, He Zhen slightly frowned and continued, “You treat everyone well, except me. Is it because in the game I initially refused to help you?

“Let’s talk alone. I want to explain why I acted that way.

“Also, there are some matters about the guild I want to discuss with you.”

“I want to explain,” “I want to discuss”—

He Zhen’s wording clearly carried a commanding tone, leaving no room for objection.

Shizong heard this and felt rather displeased.

Yet he was genuinely curious about He Zhen’s perspective on the game, so he reluctantly agreed to talk with him alone in the backyard.

Night had fallen.

Shizong sat on the backyard swing, while He Zhen stood stiffly beside him.

Glancing at him unexpectedly, Shizong felt He Zhen looked like a student being punished, rigidly explaining his inner thoughts—it was somewhat amusing.

If his expression were a little softer instead of radiating “keep away,” he would have been more endearing.

He Zhen explained that after entering the game, he received Li Simei’s script and discovered he harbored murderous intent toward Jiang Wan’er, so he assumed both the victim and the killer would be players. He hadn’t expected the victim could also be an NPC.

In his view, if he had helped Jiang Wan’er, the victim would shift to one of the other four players.

Jiang Wan’er’s death was the system’s initial default setting.

But if another player died, it would inevitably relate to him, He Zhen.

All five players were strangers to him; it didn’t matter who died. He didn’t want to intervene recklessly.

Moonlight hung low, casting a faint glow on He Zhen’s sword-like posture.

Shizong studied him, believing only half of what He Zhen had said.

He Zhen had indeed caused Shizong some displeasure.

Yet, simultaneously, a strange sense of satisfaction arose.

At only 18, He Zhen could unhesitatingly push away someone seeking help.

It made Shizong feel he had found a kindred spirit.

Of course, these kinds of kindred spirits rarely become friends.

Because they prioritize interest above all, are naturally cold-blooded, and never act on emotion.

When interests align, they can be close comrades. But once interests clash, they wouldn’t hesitate to stab each other in the back.

At least, that was Shizong’s current thinking.

Leaning against the swing’s backrest, believing only half of He Zhen’s words, Shizong didn’t question him, speaking casually: “You actually don’t need to explain. I understand your thoughts—

“If Jiang Wan’er dies, the blame can fall on the system. But if someone else dies, it looks like you caused it.

“You’d feel guilty. But you don’t want guilt, so you didn’t interfere with Jiang Wan’er.

“There’s nothing to blame here. Everyone has their own ideas; there’s no absolute right or wrong.”

After a moment of silence, He Zhen said, “I just don’t want to interfere with any cause and effect. My thoughts are selfish.”

“To me, that kind of thinking is just naive. Since we live in this world, who can remain completely untouched by cause and effect?”

Hearing Shizong’s answer, He Zhen’s gaze deepened.

He asked, “If you were me, what would you do?”

Shizong thought, if “Jiang Wan’er” came to him for help, and the person was smart, he would help.

Recruiting a clever teammate is important.

Whether others die or not is beyond his control.

In this game, he has only one goal: to win.

The game wasn’t designed by him.

If retribution exists, it’s not his fault.

Why had his past self left that note before amnesia? Where had his lost past gone? Where did he come from? What kind of person was he really…

He had to win to find answers.

Shizong lifted his head, gazing at the bright moon, saying, “Since we’re already in the game, since cause and effect can’t be avoided, just act according to your heart.

“The water is already murky; stirring it a bit more won’t make it worse.”

He Zhen also looked up at the moon.

Hearing Shizong’s words, he smiled faintly.

After a moment, he said, “Your request has been relayed to us by Zhou Lü. According to him, he provides the funding and some support for guild operations, but he doesn’t actually manage the guild.

“So, in my view, the two of us need to compete for the guild leader position.”

Shizong chuckled at that. “You don’t mean you want me to acknowledge you as the boss?”

“You don’t want to?”

“No.”

“Then you want to be my boss.”

He Zhen didn’t wait for Shizong’s reply, continuing, “Then let’s compete.

“If next time we’re in the same dungeon, and your score is higher than mine, I’ll acknowledge you as the boss. Conversely, if you lose, you have to acknowledge me as the boss.”

Competing by score in a life-and-death game?

Such competitiveness?

Hmm, now he finally seems like an 18-year-old.

Shizong glanced at him. “Survive the next dungeon first, then think about score competitions.”

He Zhen: “Looks like you agreed, then it’s settled.”

Shizong: “……”

Before He Zhen could speak again, Shizong interrupted, “You should leave.”

He Zhen walked up to him. “Leave contact info. What’s your phone number?”

“Open a travel app, search ‘Maze Inn,’ you can see the front desk number.”

Shizong raised his voice, “Zuo Sanqiu, see him out.”

Five minutes later, Zuo Sanqiu escorted He Zhen out of the inn.

Before leaving, He Zhen glanced back at Shizong, noticing his stern face, seemingly displeased.

Huh, what did He Zhen say to crack that fake gentle facade?

Zuo Sanqiu didn’t dare linger and hurried He Zhen out the door.

Night deepened; the blue tiles of the inn’s eaves were shrouded in hazy cold, and nearby Huangxia Lake’s ripples glimmered.

The moon made the night exceptionally beautiful and mysterious.

As the inn’s door slowly closed, He Zhen looked up at the bright full moon.

Zuo Sanqiu paused his closing motion, glancing at him a few times. “Junior, what’s wrong?”

“Nothing. Just looking at the moon.”

“Oh…”

Junior is still an artistic type?

“No more buses, taking a ride home?”

“Yes, I called a ride.”

“Good. Then you… watch the moon while waiting. I have some things to finish, I’ll go ahead first?”

“Wait, how long have you known Boss Shizong?”

“Three or four months, roughly.” Zuo Sanqiu scratched his head. “Why?”

He Zhen said lightly, “Only that short, yet you seem quite close.”

Zuo Sanqiu didn’t understand. “…Huh?”

“Nothing. Goodbye. Say goodnight to Boss Shizong for me.”

Three days later.

At night, Shizong lay in bed, suddenly feeling a strange sensation in his palm. He looked at his hand; a faint badge pattern shimmered for several seconds before disappearing.

The badge obtained in the game now seemed fused with his flesh and blood.

This game was indeed changing reality.

Shizong wanted a clearer look at the badge but found it gone, so he closed his eyes to sleep.

Perhaps because he saw the all-black badge before sleeping, the blackness lingered in his vision.

He found himself in a dark world, forever without sunlight, time stretching nearly to stillness.

After almost a century, color appeared in this dark world.

Yet the color was red and white.

The white emerged from the ground as hand after hand stripped to bare bones, reaching toward Shizong, gripping his feet tightly, delivering icy coldness and bone-deep despair.

The red spread from the sky to the ground, like blood, or vivid red flowers.

A vague shadow appeared before this red expanse.

Shizong asked him, “Who are you?”

The person replied, “I am you.”

“And who am I?”

“You are the Bright Moon. You have committed grave sins. What you see in your dream is a projection of your punishment in hell.

“Of course, the pain you endured then is far greater than what this projection shows—it cannot fully convey it.”

“What do you mean? Are you my past life? What do the sins you committed have to do with me?”

“I am not your past life. I am you. You must beware of a man—he will kill you and bring you back to hell. After you meet him, there is only one thing you must do: kill him.”

“Who is he?”

“Use your ability. You will know.”

My ability?

What ability?

Shizong was about to ask when he suddenly saw the sky brighten.

He immediately looked up and saw the heavens seem to split open, countless snow-white blades flashing coldly, rushing toward him!

Before the pain struck, the badge on the palm of Shizong’s left hand suddenly heated up, waking him just in time from the dream.

Opening his eyes, he saw a crystal-style chandelier hanging from the ceiling, each sharp diamond-shaped lamp dimly lit by moonlight, emitting a cold, chilling glow.

The heat on the back of his hand continued. Shizong’s first reaction was to roll over.

The next moment, the floor shook violently, followed by a loud “BANG!” The chandelier fell, narrowly missing Shizong before crashing heavily onto the center of the bed.

The shaking of the floor quickly stopped.

It seemed to have been a minor earthquake.

Shizong stood beside the disheveled bed, looking up at the ceiling.

Could it be that after obtaining the [Night] badge, my ability is related to a sixth sense? Can I sense danger?

This ability seemed to match what the man in the dream had said.

So… if someone wanted to kill me, I could sense it?

Yet, “sensing” isn’t entirely reliable.

Perhaps he would need to obtain the next Night badge to fully understand this ability.

After a while, Shizong received a call from Zuo Sanqiu. “There was a level-four earthquake in the neighboring city just now. Jinning City felt it too. Is everything okay at the inn?”

Shizong glanced at his bed. “The chandelier fell.”

“What? I told you those lamps were flashy and useless, and we never checked them… You should find another room to sleep for now. I’ll come tomorrow to clean it up.”

After nagging a bit, Zuo Sanqiu added, “Oh, tomorrow Grandma is coming to see you.”

“Grandma?” Shizong asked. “Who?”

“The neighborly grandma I mentioned before. She’s recovered and specifically wants to visit me. I told her all my money came from you, and she said she wanted to see you and bring some local specialties.”

Zuo Sanqiu continued, “No reporters or Li Rongjing’s fans causing trouble these days, right?”

“No. Let her come,” Shizong replied and hung up.

Setting down the phone, Shizong turned on the wall lamp, grabbed a broom, towels, and gloves, attempting to clean the place.

But after just a short while, his waist, back, and neck ached, so he gave up, deciding to wait for Zuo Sanqiu tomorrow.

The next day, Zuo Sanqiu indeed arrived with Grandma.

The first thing he did was go upstairs to clean, checking all the lamps and furniture in each room. Meanwhile, Grandma chatted idly with Shizong at the front desk.

Shizong didn’t bother engaging too much, but to play the role of inn owner, his smile was warm and gentle, making Grandma praise him.

“Oh my, this young man is amazing—so handsome, such a good temper. Any girl who finds you is lucky.”

“Thank you for taking care of our Sanqiu. If he were a girl, I’d marry him off to you myself.”

…

Finally, Grandma studied Shizong for a moment and asked, “But… isn’t your health not so good?”

Born without taste.

Even a bit of work made him tired.

Prone to colds and fevers…

Shizong thought his body wasn’t too weak but certainly not excellent, so he nodded. “How did you know?”

Grandma lowered her voice: “Don’t be surprised. I know a bit about physiognomy and fortune-telling. I can sense… your soul is somewhat incomplete.”

“Incomplete soul? What does that mean?”

“Humans have three souls and seven spirits. In the process of reincarnation, some loss is inevitable. Your soul is missing parts, your life spirit unstable, so your body isn’t very healthy.

“You could consider wearing a jade piece—the purer the jade, the better it helps stabilize your life spirit.

“Perhaps you young people think this is nonsense, but sometimes, it’s better to believe it, isn’t it?”

Soul incomplete due to reincarnation?

Was the person in my dream my past life?

No, he denied it.

Since I am him, and he is me… could he be the part of my soul that’s missing?

And who is this person he told me to kill, the one who wants to drag me back to hell?

But before getting clear clues, Shizong decided to ignore this matter.

He didn’t trust anyone.

Even if that person claimed to be the other half of his soul.